Further information can be obtained at: As Above
I.2)Type of the contracting authority:
Body governed by public law

I.3) Main activity:
Other: Audit and Assurance Services

I.4) Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities:
The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: No

Section II.B: Object Of The Contract (Supplies Or Services)
II.Services.1
II.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority: Framework Agreement for the Provision of Financial Audit and Assurance Services
II.2)Type of contract and place of delivery or of performance
Service category No: 9 Region Codes: UKI - LONDON

II.3)Short description of nature and quantity or value of supplies or services:
Accounting, auditing and fiscal services. Accounting and auditing services. Auditing services. Financial auditing services. Statutory audit services. The National Audit Office (NAO) scrutinises public spending for Parliament and is independent of government. The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) is an Officer of the House of Commons and leads the NAO; he certifies the accounts of all UK government departments and many other public sector bodies. The NAO's recommendations and reports on good practice help government to improve public services, and its work led to audited savings of £1.15 billion in 2014.

The NAO is seeking to establish a framework agreement for appointing firms able to deliver, or contribute to the delivery or development of, financial audit and other assurance engagements or related work for and on behalf of the C&AG. This work is required throughout the United Kingdom. The NAO currently has three major client groups ('Lots') from which it contracts-out financial audit work to firms providing financial audit and assurance services. The relevant framework agreements are due to expire, and the NAO intends to replace these frameworks with a single framework agreement covering all areas of central government. The contract will commence with work to support the audits of 2016-17 financial statements.

The services to be provided are expected to cover a wide range of resource and expertise and are expected to include, but are not limited to, external audit services, including providing reasonable assurance that income and expenditure have been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament, and that financial transactions conform to the authorities which govern them ('regularity'), as well as IT audits and information assurance work, related consultancy and provision of staff support and advice and training. This could require firms to undertake a range of work including, but not limited to, complete audits, the provision of specialist expertise on specific account or audit areas, and the provision of contract staff to work as part of NAO audit teams.
If known, estimated cost excluding VAT: 40,000,000
Currency: GBP
Lots (for information about lots, use Annex B as many times as there are lots):
This contract is divided into lots: No

II.7)Additional Information:
The "Main place of performance or of delivery" at II.2 states "LONDON". Please note that services are required throughout the whole of the United Kingdom. The NAO will be holding a supplier afternoon at 13:30 hours on 20/11/2015 at their offices at 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London SW1W 9SP. If you would like to attend, RSVP to sophie.cooper@nao.gsi.gov.uk no later than 17:00 on 13/11/2015 with details of up to 2 attendees. The list of attendees and minutes of the event will be provided to you as soon as possible after the event. The procurement for the Framework Agreement for the Provision of Financial Audit and Assurance Services will be managed electronically via BIPs Delta e-Sourcing Suite. To participate in this forthcoming procurement, suppliers must first be registered on the e-Sourcing Suite. If you have not yet registered on the e-Sourcing Suite, this can be done online at www.delta-esourcing.com. Potential providers must keep their contact details on the Delta e-Sourcing portal up to date or they will be unable to receive communications from the NAO. If tenderers experience any problems with registering they should contact BiP¿s Delta e-Sourcing helpdesk (0845 270 7050) or email: helpdesk@delta-ets.com for assistance.